The Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry

The Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – The District of Columbia has finally made it possible to conceal carry in late 2017.

The Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry

The District of Columbia has finally succumbed to the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and has made it possible to obtain a concealed carry handgun permit in the District without having to show any “special” need.

The Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – How We Got Here

In June 1976, eighteen months after Congress established home rule for the District, the D.C. Council voted 12 to 1 to restrict city residents from acquiring handguns, even if it never left their home. Then in February 2003, D.C. was sued in Parker v. District of Columbia for the ban on keeping guns at home. This case eventually morphed into the District of Columbia v. Heller case. Four years later in 2007, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals found the law unconstitutional. The Supreme Court eventually agreed to hear the case. On June 26, 2008, it ruled the law unconstitutional.

The Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – It’s Not The First Time

Six years later on July 24, 2014, D.C.’s ban on BOTH open and concealed carry was struck down as unconstitutional in Palmer v. District of Columbia. Initially Judge Frederick Scullin, Jr. did not issue a stay of his ruling. For a brief period of time (5 weeks), Scullin’s ruling effectively legalized permitless open and concealed carry with only a valid firearm registration card, and non-residents without felony convictions could carry openly or concealed in the District of Columbia.

But on July 29, 2014 Scullin issued an order that retroactively stayed the ruling until October 22, 2014. In response to the ruling, a Restrictive May-Issue Concealed Carry Licensing Law was enacted in September 2014. Under the new law, an applicant must show “good reason,” to qualify for a concealed carry permit. Many who applied would argue there was no “may” in “may-issue” as monthly permits issued could often be counted on one hand (and some months on one finger).

On May 18, 2015, the “good reason” requirement was ruled as likely unconstitutional and a preliminary injunction was issued against D.C. from enforcing that requirement in Wrenn v. District of Columbia. This effectively required the District of Columbia to grant licenses on a “Shall-Issue” basis to qualified applicants who have passed a criminal background check and completed the required firearms safety training. Judge Scullin did not issue a stay of his ruling, but the Appeals Court did so on June 12, 2015, effectively leaving the restrictive “good reason” requirement in place while litigation continued.

Then, on May 17, 2016 a separate case (Grace v. District of Columbia) was decided by District Court Judge Richard J. Leon. The Court issued a preliminary injunction that the “good reason” requirement was likely be unconstitutional and enjoined its enforcement. The order said that anyone who met the eligibility requirements for a concealed carry license absent the good reason stipulation cannot be denied a carry license and the order was subsequently stayed on May 27, 2016.

Both the Wrenn and Grace cases were consolidated before the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. and oral arguments were held on September 20, 2016.

The Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – The Latest Ruling

On July 25, 2017, in a 2-1 decision, the court invalidated the “good reason” requirement. The decision was put on hold to allow D.C. to appeal. D.C. filed its appeal for rehearing en banc (before all the judges) on August 24, 2017 and its request was denied on September 28, 2017. This left a trip to the Supreme Court as the last available option.

District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine acknowledged at a news conference he had received several phone calls from elected and unelected officials (city attorneys) in other jurisdictions worried about the effect of a Supreme Court ruling against DC might have on their own restrictive laws. The District threw in the towel on October 5, 2017, and announced its decision to forego an appeal to the Supreme Court. DC is following a “shall issue” system, at least for now.

The Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – The Current Rules

First, the latest decision left the training requirements in place. And, you may apply even if you are not a resident of D.C., since they do not recognize any other state-issued permits (no reciprocity).

If you would like to conceal carry while in DC, you’ll need a DC Concealed Carry Permit.

Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – Training Requirements

16 Hours Classroom

2 Hours Range with 50 shots

Trainer must be certified by the DC Metropolitan Police Dept.

Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – Firearm Registration

Under D.C. Code Section 7–2502.01, Both DC residents and non-residents must register their carry handgun with the District Government.

Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – Eligibility

To be eligible for a permit, an applicant must be 21 years of age, must be a U.S. Resident and cannot:

a. have any convictions for crimes of violence, weapons offenses or any other violations of the Firearms Control Regulation Act of 1975, or a felony in any jurisdiction.

b. be under indictment for a crime of violence or a weapons offense.

c. have been acquitted of any criminal charge by reason of insanity or adjudicated a chronic alcoholic in the past five years.

d. have been convicted of two or more violations for driving under the influence within the past five years.

e. have been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to any mental hospital or institution within the past five years.

f. have been the subject of a civil protection order within the past five years.

g. have been convicted of a misdemeanor intra-family offense.

h. have any physical defect that would make it unsafe to possess and use a firearm safely and responsibly.

i. have been found negligent in a firearm-related mishap causing death or injury to another person.

j. have been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces.

k. have renounced their U.S. citizenship.

l. be legally blind.

m. be an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance.

n. have suffered during the past five years from any mental illness or condition that creates a substantial risk that the applicant is a danger to him/herself or to others.

The Virginia Guide to DC Concealed Carry – Summary

For the time being, the District of Columbia is a shall-issue jurisdiction. It remains to be seen whether the District attorneys and councilmen will leave it at that, or will seek to pass new legislation interfering with citizens’ constitutionally-protected right to carry a handgun.

Are you looking for professional firearm training or a VA or DC Concealed Carry Permit Training in Northern Virginia / DC/ Maryland area? Because if you are, then come visit SpecDive Tactical here in Alexandria and see for yourself why we the area’s premiere firearm and tactical gear store. Knowledgeable help, professional firearm training, wide selection of firearms, expert in-house gunsmith services, authorized Silencer Shop.